[idi banashapan]

I’m not against young people engaging in politics, but giving 16 and 17 year olds the vote in general elections raises some valid concerns. At that age, the brain is still developing, particularly the areas tied to long-term decision-making, impulse control, and critical thinking. While many teens are bright and well-meaning, the ability to fully grasp complex national issues and weigh their consequences is still maturing. This isn’t about intelligence, it;s about neurological readiness.

There’s also the inconsistency of rights. At 16, you can’t drink, smoke, or be fully held accountable in the legal system, but you’d be allowed to help decide the country’s future? That contradiction muddles what it means to be a responsible adult citizen. Add to that the fact that many teens are highly susceptible to external influence, from social media, school environments, and even parents, and it becomes harder to argue that the average 16 year old is making a truly independent, informed choice. We could end up with a government based around narrow opinions fed via TikTok, which is a scary thought. These feeds are not officially composed messages on political agenda, these are often the uninformed, unverified opinons of other 16 and 17 year olds.

If society wants to lower the voting age, it should come with stronger civic education and clearer alignment of legal responsibilities. Until then, keeping the voting age at 18 seems like the more balanced and coherent approach. Let;s not confuse early enthusiasm with long-term political maturity.